Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1920.

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flu A m @y M. L. STONE;

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY27, 1920.

1 378,917. Patented May 24, 1921.

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I22 v-en 'w or/ Maw M. L. STONE..

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

A P P L l C A T l 0 N f l L E D M A Y 2 7 I 9 2 0.

1,378,917, Patented May 24, 1921.

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' Feeler Mechanisms for Looms,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN I1. STONE, 0F LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR T0 DRAPER CORPORA. TION, OF HOPEDALE,,MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION MAINE.

FEET-ER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Ifatent.

Patented May 24, 1921.

Application filed' May 27, 1920. Serial No. #35 ,612.

To all whom it ma'y concern:

Be it known that I, MELVIN L. STONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby a fresh supply of filling is supplied when that in the active shuttle has reached the predetermined degree of substantial exhaustion.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a feeler mechanism which shall be sensitive and responsive both'to the presence and substantial absence of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat; and when substantial exhaustion is indicated, the feeler mechanism will set into operation a train of mechanism to replenish the filling.

Heretofore, various forms of feeler mechanisms have been proposed. In some cases, the feeler which is to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and ascertain the condition of the filling, has been mounted upon a feeler carrier supported in front of the lay so that it would contact with the filling or a surface within the shuttle due to the frontward movement ofthe lay. In some cases feeler mechanisms mounted in this manner have worked satisfactorily, but where the filling is subjected to the impact against the feeler on each detecting beat, it sometimes happens that the filling becomes injured. ()ne of the important features of the invention, therefore, is to provide a feeler mechanism wherein the feeler is mounted on and movable with the lay, and is caused to move into feeling engagement with the filling by a controller which moves the feeler transversely of the lay and into the shuttle-box.

as the lay moves frontwardly, and withdraws the feeler from the shuttle-box as the lay moves rearwardly.

- Where the feeler moves passing through the slotted wall thereof to feel for the filling, it is necessary that the feeler and the slot in the shuttle wall be properly related as the feeler performs its feeling function. For if the feeler feels for filling when the shuttle is not properly boxed it may strike a wall of the shuttle, or

into the shuttle by one of the bobbinfholding jaws, and'as a result may inj ure the feeler, or call prematurely the feeler and the slot in the wall of the shuttle. The above and other features of the lnvention, and novel combinations of parts included therein, will be herein de-'' scribed in connection with the accompanying drawings which show one good, practical form thereof, wherein Figure l is a perspective View of the feeler side of the loom, showing more particularly the feeler mechanism and its related parts;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the feeler mechanism showing the action of parts whenthe lay moves backwardly, and substantlally reaches its backward position;

1* 1g. 3 s a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showlngthe feeler being moved transversely of the lay to perform its feeling function as the lay moves frontwardly;

Fig. 4 1s a sectional view, substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, some of the parts he- 1ng shown in elevation to make clear the relation and association thereof;

Fig. 5'is a'sectional detail on the line 55 of Flg. 3, showing a good, practical form of the feeler; I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail with parts broken away, showing the action of the shuttle positioner and feeler as the shuttle enters the detecting shuttle-box;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 6, showing the position of parts as the ihuttle finally comes to rest in the shuttle- OX; 7 y

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 showing the action of parts as the shuttle is picked from the detecting box; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail on the line 99 of Fig. 7, showing the pivotal support of the feeler positioner.

' The loom frame 1 the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, in which is mounted the transverse or" rock shaft 3 as usual in feeler looms.

has mounted thereon Rising from the rock shaft 3 is the arm 4 to which gaged by an operating member 7 which may be conveniently formed as a part of or secured to the cam follower. In the present instance of the invention, the rear end portion of the latch 6 is formed by an arm 8 pivotally mounted at 9 and having a portion 10 which'overlies the end 11 of a wire 12 which is inclosed in a'sheath 13, the con struction being such that when the wire 12 is moved longitudinally in its sheath 13, its end 11 will lift the engaging end 8 of the latch into the path ofmovement of the operating member 7, as will more fully appear.

The feeler which is to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and ascertain the condition of the filling, is mounted on the lay and is moved inwardly to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat under the control of a controller arm which is also mounted on the lay. A feeler positioner is also mounted on the lay and is connected with the feeler so that when the positioner is moved by the shuttle longitudinally of the shuttle-box it will likewise move the feeler to position it opposite the slot in the side wall of the shuttle so that the feeler may enter the shuttle and perform its feeling function.

The lay 14 is provided with the usual shuttle-box 15, the front wall of which is slotted, at 16. The shuttle 17 contains the filling carrier or bobbin 18 on which the filling 19 is wound, and the front wall of the shuttle-box. is provided with an opening or slot 20 which, when the shuttle is properly positioned in the detecting box, registers with the openings in the wall of the shuttlebox to permit the feeler to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling.

In the present instance of the invention, the lay has secured thereto the brackets 21 and 22 in which is secured the non-rotatable shaft or pin 23. The shaft or pin 23 may be secured in the bearin s of the brackets 21 and 22 in any suitab e manner, as for instance, by the set screws 24, Fig. 4.

, Mounted for rocking movement on the fixed stud or shaft 23 is the sleeve 25,-best shown in Figl; --4 having a longitudinallyextending slot 26. Mounted upon the sleeve 25 for rocking movement therewith, is the feeler arm or carrier 27, the hub portion 28 of which has a spline 29 which engages the longitudinal groove 26 of the sleeve 25, the

construction being such that while the feeler arm may rock with the sleeve 25, it also is capable of longitudinal movement of the sleeve or in other words, in a direction lon gitudinally of the shuttle-box.

The sleeve 25 has a projection 30 which normally bears against a stop or pin 31 extending from a lug 32 of the controller arm 33 which is loosely mounted upon the sleeve 25. A spring 34 is wound about the sleeve 25 and one end thereof is connected to the controller arm 33 at 35, and the other end is connected to the lug or projection 30 at 36, the .construction being such that the spring 34 normally tends to move the feeler into the shuttle-box, but is restrained from.

effecting such movement until the feeling action of the feeler is desired by means of the pin or stop 31 projecting from thecontroller arm.

The controller arm 33 is appropriately provided with the hub portion 37 which is loosely mounted upon the sleeve 25 and extending from the hub portion 37 is the controller arm proper 33. Thus as the lay makes its frontward and rearward movement, the controller arm 33 and the-feeler move with it. 1

Adjustably mounted on the loom frame and preferably secured to the feeler stand 38 by a bolt 39 which passes through a slot 40 of the feeler stand or a bracket extending therefrom is the slotted arm 41 which constitutes a guide or trackway for the end of the controller arm. The controller arm 33 has secured to its front end portion a stop troller arm 33 to rise as it moves front- Wardly with the lay, thereby permitting the spring 34'to eflect movement of the feeler into the shuttle-box and enabling it to perform its feeling function. As or just be cam is such that the shoe 43 drops from the end of the switch cam under the weight of the controller arm and withdraws the feeler from the'shuttle-box and shuttle, and.

46 which is supported by a casing 47 mounted on the upper portion 48 of the feeler arm 27. The penetrating member of the feeler is ore 'the lay reaches its front position, the switch ortion of the formed as 'a pin 49 having a sharpened end as indicated which will, under the feeling action of the feeler, sink into the filling, should a workingsupply of .filling be present in the shuttle on a detecting beat,

until the impinging member 46 engages the filling, whereupon the .feeler will be moved frontwardly without, however, causing relative movement between the impinging and the penetrating members of the feeler. Should filling be substantially exhausted from the shuttle, however, on a detecting beat, the penetrating member 49 will engage the relatively dense surface of the filling carrier or bobbin and will be moved frontwardly relative to the impinging member 46; and advantage is taken of this relative movement in the present form of the invention to impart longitudinal movement to the wire 12 in the sheath 13 to effect movement of the end of the latch 6 as at 8, into the path of the operating member 7 to effect replenishment of filling. As shown in Fig. 5, the penetrating member 49 of the feeler extends through the tube 46 and has a collar 50 against which bears one end of a spring 51 contained within the casing 47 and hearing at its other end against a block or shoulder 52, the construction being such that the spring 51 will normally hold the penetrating member 49 of the feeler in its rearward extended position beyond the end of the impinging member 46. The penetrating member 49 bears upon or is connected to the wire 12 as at 53, Fig. 5, so that the wire 12 par-.

takes of the movement of'the penetrating member 49 when it is pushed frontwardly by engagement with the filling carrier or bobbin when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

As hereinbefore indicated, the feeler is associated with a feeler positioner which is mounted upon the lay and which serves to position the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle-box opposite the openings in the walls of the shuttle-box and shuttle, in order that the feeler may enter the shuttle to perform its feeling function. A good form of feeler positioner and its association or connection with the feeler is shown in Figs. 4 and 6 to 9, inclusive. Mounted upon the fixed shaft or pin 23 is the sleeve 54, Fig. 4, which is held from rocking movement on the shaft or pin 23, but is free for longitudinal movement relative to the shaft or pin. In the present instance of the invention, the sleeve 54 has a longitudinally-exte-nding groove, Fig. 4, which is engaged by a spline or key 55 secured to the shaft 23, the construction being such that while the sleeve 54 may move longitudinally of the pin or shaft 23. it is confined against rocking movement. The sleeve 54 has a laterally-extending portion 56 which bears against the hub 28 of the feeler arm 27, and a socket 57 in the sleeve 54 is formed of sufficient dimensions to ride over the end of the sleeve 25 when the sleeve 54 is moved longitudinally, the construction being such that the feeler arm 27 will be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttleebox by the sleeve 54 when the latter is correspondingly moved. A spring 58 is interposed between the hub 28 of the feeler arm 27 and the projection 30 on the sleeve 25, so that the spring 58 normally exerts a tension against the hub 28 of the feeler arm to hold the hub against the end 56 of the sleeve 54. 1

'The sleeve 54 has extending upwardly therefrom, the positioner arm 59 which has a rearwardly-extending portion 60 to which is pivotally connected the rocking end portion 61 of the feeler positioner. The pivotal connection between the positioner or head 61 arm and the positioner may be variously contrived, but in the present instance of the invention, as best shown by Fig. 9, the positioner 61 is pivotally supported on the rearwardly-extending arm 60 by a pin or stud 62 which may be conveniently threaded at 63 into the arm 60. A spring 64 surrounds the upwardly-extending portion of the arm 60 into which the pin 62 is threaded, and one end of the spring is connected to the arm 60 at 65 while the other end 66 bears upon a stop 67, the construction being such that the spring normally holds the positioner 61 with the stop 67 against the arm 60 and in relation thereto, as indicated in Fig. 7.

The feeler positioner 61 has an abrupt face 68 and an inclined face 69, and the shuttle positioner 61 normally extends through the slot 16 in the front wall of the shuttle-box into the path of the incoming shuttle. As the shuttle 17 (Fig. 6) enters the detecting shuttle-box, the inclined end portion 70 of the shuttle 17 engages the portion 68 of the shuttle positioner and turns the shuttle positioner from its normal position as indicated in Fig. 7, to an inclined position as indicated in Fig. 6, the construction being such that the shuttle, by thus turning the shuttle positioner, may enter the shuttle-box without undue obstruction. As the shuttle further enters the box from the position shown in Fig. 6, the engaged side of the shuttle rides along the inclined surface 69 of the shuttle positioner until the shuttle presents its side opening 20 to the shuttle positioner, whereupon the spring 64 at once turns the shuttle positioner into its normal position as indicated in Fig. 7, and as the shuttle further enters the box, the abrupt wall 68 of the shuttle positioner engages the end wall 71 of the opening in the shuttle, and since the shuttle positioner cannot turn contraclockwise owing to the stop 67, the shuttle positioner, its arm 60, 59, and sleeve 54, will be moved longitudinally with the shuttle, and thereby move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle or shuttle-box into position to enter the openings in the-side wall of the shuttle and shuttlebox. When, therefore, the shuttle comes to rest, the'feeler will be positioned to perform its feeling function. Should the shuttle rebound in its box, the spring 58, Fig. 4, acting upon the feeler hub 28, will move the sleeve 54 and perforce, the feeler positioner, to maintain the feeler in appropriate position toenter the walls of the shuttle and shuttle-box,

When the shuttle is picked from the detecting box, the end of the shuttle opening 20 as at 72, will engage the inclined por tion 69 of the positioner and again tiltit or rock it on its pivotal support to permit the shuttle to pass from the box, and the sleeve 54 at such times will rest against the bearing carried by the bracket 21, as indicated in Fig. 4. c

When a'working supply of fillin is pres ent in the shuttle on a detecting eat, the controller arm 33, which is carried b the lay, will move frontwardly and maintain the feeler from entering the shuttle until the shoe 43 reaches theswitch cam 73 (Fig. 1)

whereupon the shoe will ride up the switch cam and move the controlling arm in a vertical direction, thereby permitting the feeler to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling.

Since a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle, the penetrating member 49 of the feeler will sink into the filling and the wire 12 will not be moved longitudinally in its sheath, as the lay reaches substantially its front posi tion, the shoe 43 will drop from the switch cam 73 and thereby withdraw the feeler from the shuttle so as not to interfere with the picking movement of the shuttle, and will hold its withdrawn position as the lay goes back, the shoe 43 at such times riding under the switch cam. Should the filling be substantially however, the penetrating member 49 will engage the relatively-dense surface of the 11mg carrier or bobbin as the lay moves frontwardly and will cause the wire 12 to be pushed and place the end of the latch 6 into position to be engaged by the operating member 7 to effect replenishment of filling. On each detecting beat, when the shuttle enters the detecting box, the feeler positioner will act to position the feeler opposite the opening in the side of the shuttle by moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle-box, in accordance with the position assumed by the shuttle. The switch cam 73 is herein shown as formed of a resilient plate which, as the shoe 43 rides over the switch cam, will yield to permit the shoe to pass and then will resume its original or initial position, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that on rearward movement of the shoe 43,'it will pass underfthe switch cam. The resilient plate thus constituting the switch cam, will be appropriately secured in a trackway or guide 41 by means stantially vertical plane, a

heretofore explained. When exhausted on a detecting beat,

on a detecting beat, and a also mounted on the lay of a supporting block 74 to which a latertending to move the feeler into the shuttlebox, a stop between the arm and feeler which the feeler into the prevents movement of shuttle-box until the arm is moved in asubguide mounted in a fixed position, a projection on the arm which moves along the guide as the lay beats up, and a cam for moving the arm in a vertical'plan'e in one direction as the laymoves frontwardly and in the opposite direction as the lay moves rearwardly, said cam constructed and arranged to move the arm more rapidly in one direction than in the other.

2. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a feeler mounted on the lay for movement transversely and longitudinall thereof, a spring tending to move the feeler to enter the shuttle-box, a controlling arm for restraining the movement of the feeler in response to the spring, a cam constructed and arranged to be engaged by the controlling arm and move it in a vertical direction as the lay moves frontwardly to permit the feeler to respond to the force of the spring and feel-for the filling and to move the arm in the opposite direction as the lay goes back, and means mounted on the lay to engage the shuttle'upon a detecting beat and move the feeler longitudinally a predetermine shuttle. v

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

position relative to the- -combination of a feeler mounted on the lay to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling feeler ositioner connected to the feeler to move it ongitudinally of the shuttle to position the feeler to enter the shuttle.

of the lay to i 4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler mounted on the lay to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler positioner also mounted on the lay, and means actuated by the feeler positioner to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

5. In a'feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of atfeeler mounted on the lay, means for causing the feeler to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat of the lay'to feel for the filling, a feeler positioner which is for movement longitudinally thereof by the shuttle, and con 'nections between the feeler and feeler posithe feeler the feeler tioner which cause movement of longitudinally of the shuttle when posltioner is so moved,

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler which is mounted on the lay for movement transversely and longitudinally thereof, means for moving it transversely on each detecting beat of the lay, and. a separate means for moving it longitudinally before it is moved transversely.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted on the la for movement transversely and longitudinally thereof, a controlling arm for moving it transversely of the lay on each detecting beat, and a feeler positioner which is also mounted on the lay for moving the feeler longitudinally of the lay when the shuttle is not properly boxed.

8. In a filling replenishing loom, the com-' bination of a feeler, a feeler controlling arm,

and a feeler positioner all mounted on the lay, connections between the feeler and feeler positioner and between the feeler and controlling arm to cause the feeler to enter the side of the shuttle on each detecting beat.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay and shuttle-box, a feeler positioner which normally extends through the side of the shuttle-box and is moved longitudinally of the shuttle-box by the shuttle, and a feeler movable with the" feeler positioner.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay and shuttle-box, a

feeler positioner which is'mounted on the lay and normally extends through the side of the shuttle-box and is moved longitudinally of the shuttle-box by the shuttle, and a feeler movable with the feeler positioner. 11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay, the shuttle-box having an opening in its side wall, a feeler, and a feeler positioner on the lay which extends through the opening in the wall of the shuttle-box to engage the shuttle and be moved b it.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay and shuttle-box, a feeler mounted on the lay, a feeler positioner also mounted on the lay and normally extending into the shuttle-box to be engaged and moved by the shuttle, and means to cause 7 the fee-ler to move longitudinally of the shuttle-box when the positioner is moved by the shuttle. I

13. In a loom, the combination of the lay and shuttle-box having an opening in its side wall, a feeler. and a feeler positioner which is supported to extend through the opening in the wall of the shuttle-box and is engaged by a side portion of the shuttle as it travels past said opening in the shuttle box, and connections betweenthe feeler and feeler positioner for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle.

14. In a loom, the combination of a feeler rest, and connections between the feeler and feeler positioner for positioning the feeler to enter the shuttle to feel for the filling.

16. Ina feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a feeler positioner which is supported to enter the shuttle as the shuttle moves in the shuttle-box and determine the final position of the shuttle, and connections between the feeler andfeeler pogitiloner for determining the position of the ee er.

17. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of the lay and shuttle-box, a shuttle having an abutment at the side, a feeler, and a feeler positioner having a yielding head supported to be engaged by the abutment at the side of the shuttle.

18. In a feeler mechanism for looms,-the combination of the lay and shuttle-box, a shuttle having an abutment at one side thereof, a feeler which enters the shuttle on a detecting beat to determine the condition of the filling, a feeler positioner which is mounted to be engaged and be ositioned by the abutment at the side of tlie shuttle as the shuttle moves in the shuttle-box, and means between the feeler and feeler positioner to move the feeler into position to feel for the filling.

19. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the COIIlbIIlELtlOIl-Of the lay and a shuttle-box, a shuttle, a feeler positioner having a pivotally mounted head to enter the shuttle and be moved by the shuttle as the latter moves in the shuttle-box, afeeler for entering the shuttle to determine the condition of the filling, and means controlled by the feeler positioner to move the feeler into position to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling.

20. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay, a shuttle having an opening in a side wall thereof, a feeler positioner mounted to enter said 0 ening and be engaged and moved by a sur ace therein, a feeler which enters the shuttle on a detecting beat to determine the condition of the filling, and means for imparting the movement of the feeler positioner to thefeeler to move the latter into position to feel for the filling.

21. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay and a shuttle-box, a shuttle having an opening in a side wall thereof, a feeler positioner having a pivotally mounted yielding head Which enters said opening as the shuttle is boxed and which is engaged by a surface Within said opening, a feeler Which enters the shuttle on a detecting beat to determine the condition of the filling, and connections between the feeler and feeler positioner for positioning the feeler to feel for the filling.

22. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a shuttle having an abutment at one side thereof, a feeler for determining the condition of the filling upon a detecting beat, a feeler positioner which is mounted to be engaged and be moved by 15 said abutment at the side of the shuttle, and means for causing the feeler to be moved by the feeler positioner.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN STONE. 

